Submitted by Jayme Soyak on the 2016 winter session program in Dominica sponsored by the Department of Geography…
Every car ride amazes me here. To me, it is a perfect example of the topography of Dominica. There are winding and steep roads climbing up the mountainsides to provide access to more remote parts of the island. The people here have figured out a way to work with the land and also use it to their benefit. Though I’m sure it could get challenging, the people have been able to create this dynamic in order to create transportation and not destroy the mountains and valleys. At home, I have seen tunnels through mountains or dynamite used to create an easier path from point A to point B. This is not the case in Dominica.
Though it is helpful, it also poses a few other issues. Being in the Caribbean, Dominica is subject to a lot of rain and many tropical storms. This precipitation allows for lush vegetation to sprout all over the island. However, given the right conditions, the vast amount of rainfall can lead to landslides. The combination of steep mountains and cliffs, paired with occasional drought or dry seasons gives rain the chance to cause some serious damage. The roads that are built high into and around the mountains can easily be covered or destroyed. In the four months since Hurricane Erica, many alternative roads have had to be built due to the immense damage done to the roads. This is a problem that Dominicans face with every new street or road near or on the mountain.
The topography of Dominica is beautiful, intense, helpful and sometimes scary. For years, the people of Dominica have been trying to figure out how to work with the land in creating the most useful, helpful and safe environment for development and survival.